By Christiana Onuoha
The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has called on Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, desist from ill-treatemnt against a registered trade union, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) .
The General Secretary of ITUC-AFRICA, Comrade Kwasi Adu-Amankwah in a letter addressed Governor Sanwo-Olu said it is also worrisome that Lagos State Government will disregard a rulling by a competent Court of law, and also cease properties and premises belong to the union.
ITUC-Africa therfore asked for immediately return of the properties to RTEAN to avoid industrial disharmony.
Dated June 22rd , 2023 and titled “On the issue of the state of Freedom of Association relating to the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN): An urgent call for the immediate and unconditional reopening of the premises of RTEAN and cessation of interference in the administration of the organisation, the letter told Governor Sanwo-Olu to ensure that RTEAN right to unhindered Freedom of Association (FoA) is entirely and manifestly respected.
Partly, the letter reads; “The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa is a pan-African trade union organisation representing over 17 million workers grouped in 112 national centres in 52 of the 54 African countries. We are headquartered in Lome, Togo.
“We have two affiliates in Nigeria – the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
“We have received reports concerning the subject of this letter from the TUC and are writing to request that the matter be speedily dispatched so that the activities, operation and administration of the affected trade union are not further undermined.
“Mr Governor, the reports reaching us indicate that the Lagos State Government (LASG) has closed down the premises and confiscated the properties of the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria for reasons that competent courts in Nigeria have since dismissed.
“The report also indicated that the LASG directly and through its proxies and agents have been interfering in the activities, operations and administration of this trade union organisation contrary to extant national laws and provisions of legal and administrative instruments at the West African, African and International levels relating to the enjoyment of Freedom of Association. (FoA).
“Nigeria is a respected member of the international community. Its constitution and other national laws, including labour administration laws, are considered progressive and promising in the governance of industrial relations.
“Nigeria is a signatory to the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the country has also ratified the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.
“At the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Nigeria is active and considered a “friendly country”.
“This may explain why it was not difficult for the country’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Mr Abiodun Richards Adejola, to be elected as the ILO’s Governing Body (GB) Chairperson. We also know that Nigeria has ratified Convention 87 (Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise) and Convention 98 (Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining).
“The ITUC-Africa is therefore concerned that the LASG has decided to arbitrarily clamp down on the operations and premises of a legitimate trade union organisation.
“This is particularly worrying against the background of the disregard for the rule of law, given that a competent court of the land has ruled that the actions of the LASG are ultra vires and should be reversed.
“The ITUC-Africa is writing to you, Mr Governor, to request that you use the instrumentality of your office and goodwill to redress this situation by ensuring that the premises and properties of the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) are returned and their right to unhindered Freedom of Association (FoA) is entirely and manifestly respected.
“The ITUC-Africa sees Nigeria as a fledging democracy like other African countries. This reality partly explains why we expect that spaces and means to enjoy civil liberties in the country will be preserved and supported, especially by State Actors. Therefore, we have remained seized with observing and reporting on developments relating to civil liberties in the country. We shall stay vigilant and continue to pursue legitimate and pragmatic actions in safeguarding the human and labour rights of workers and our members in Nigeria, including this case of RTEAN.”
